Sales show doubt in recovery

RETAIL sales grew by just 0.1% in September, new figures from the Central Statistics Office show, indicating that consumers are still uncertain about the sustainability of the economic recovery.

The volume of sales was up just 0.1% on the September 2002 figure with a monthly increase of 2.4%. If motor sales are excluded the annual increase was 1.1% and the monthly increase was 2.6%.

The value of retail salesincreased by 2.3% in September 2003 compared to September 2002 and increased by 3% in the month and up by 3.6% when car sales are stripped out.